Lahore: IRF Roundtable Pakistan organized its annual session at a local hotel in Lahore, bringing together pastors, religious leaders, business professionals, intellectuals, civil society representatives, and Christian and Muslim scholars to discuss interfaith harmony, minority rights, women's empowerment, and inclusive national development.

The session provided a platform for participants from diverse backgrounds to exchange views on strengthening social cohesion and promoting equal opportunities for all citizens in Pakistan.

Addressing the gathering, Mufti Syed Ashiq Hussain said that Islam teaches the protection of minorities and respect for their places of worship. He emphasized the need to revive the vision of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, where all citizens enjoy equal rights regardless of their faith or background.

Author and journalist Junaid Qaiser stressed the importance of developing a new national narrative rooted in equal rights, inclusion, and contemporary realities. He said Pakistan must embrace modern ideas and policies that reflect the aspirations of its diverse population and support progress on modern lines.

Renowned evangelist Mishal Kashan highlighted the importance of women's empowerment and emancipation. She noted that legal awareness among women is essential, as women play a central role in families and society. She called for greater efforts to educate women about their rights and opportunities.

Speaking on economic inclusion, Tamoor Sandhu, Senior Vice President of the Christian Business Fellowship, said that creating a conducive business environment would help reduce discrimination and provide equal economic opportunities for marginalized communities.

During his keynote address, Kashif Mirza, Coordinator of IRF Roundtable Pakistan, presented an overview of minority welfare spending in Punjab. He stated that Punjab remains the largest investor in minority welfare among all provinces, increasing its allocation from Rs 2.654 billion to Rs 7.782 billion over the past five fiscal years.

“Even after adjusting for the impact of inflation, Punjab has managed a real-term increase in spending on minority welfare, while many other governments have witnessed contractions in such expenditures,” he said.

However, Mirza expressed concern over fluctuations in the Minority Development Fund, noting that allocations had varied significantly from year to year. He argued that such inconsistency reflects annual political discretion rather than long-term planning.

He further pointed out discrepancies in financial reporting, stating that more than Rs 1.4 billion in minority-related spending for 2025–26 had been routed through local government channels rather than the main minorities department. He called for greater transparency and accountability in public spending.

“Accountability begins when public records are open, clear, and accessible to every citizen,” Mirza remarked.

Other speakers included Bishop Dr. Majeed Naz Ashiq, Pastor Mumtaz Inayat, Pastor Shahid Paul, Asif Javed of IMRF, Joy King, Abdullah Arif, and Amir Javed, who shared their perspectives on interfaith cooperation, minority rights, social inclusion, and community development.

The session concluded with a vote of thanks by Bishop Kashan George, who appreciated the participation of religious leaders, civil society members, and guests for contributing to a meaningful dialogue on building a more inclusive and harmonious Pakistan.